His Samata Party became a member of the BJP-led coalition government in 1998, making him Defense Minister. He presided over India's first nuclear tests in 24 years shortly afterwards. He resigned in February 2001 after accusations of corruption in the Defense Minstry, brought by the independent newspaper Tehelka, but was reinstated a few months later, after he was cleared. In 2003,his Samata Party merged with the Janata Dal (U), taking the latter's name, and becoming the head of the combined party.